Interlock



Nov- 7, 11939- J. M. ZIMMERMAN INTERLO CK Filed March 7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .lNVENTOR ssie Mae. Zimm Q ermon. MALT 1 ATTORNEY C Nov. 7, 1939.

J. M. ZIMMERMAN I 2,178,984

INTERLOCK Filed March '7; 19:59 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig'Q.

INVENTOR Jessie Mae Zfirnrner mem- Patented Nov. 7, 1939- PATENT OFFICE maroon I Jessie Mae Zimmerman, Goldenbridge, N. Y.

Application March'l, 1939, Serial No. 260,304-

3 Claims. (01. 24-204) This invention relates to an improved interlock ing and complementary portions in the two edges One object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical interlock of the character de- 10 scribed formed from the material at the edges to be interlocked.

Another object of the invention is to provide interlocking edges so constructed and arranged that they can be easily interlocked and will be 15 firmly and securely held in interlocked relation.-

Another object of the invention is to provide an interlock of the character described so worked out that it can be used to connect fiat or curved edges and will form a smooth connection therebetween.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following specification taken in connection with the drawings which form a part of this application, and in which-.

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing two edges 25 having cut therein interlocking means constructed in accordance with the invention, the edges being shown in separated relation;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the edges in partially interlocked relation, illus- 30 trating the manner of locking the edges together;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view showing the two edges fully interlocked;

Fig. 4 is a reverse elevation of the structure shown inFlg. 3;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a slightly modified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view showing two edges in separated relation and provided with interlocking means cut therein, these edges being curved;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but shows the edges in partially interlocked relation and the manner of interlocking the two curved edges;

45 Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the interlocked edges shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the parts interlocked forming a curved surface; and r Fig. 9 is a reverse elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 8.

50 The invention briefly described consists of the combination of a pair of sheet members formed of relatively still pliable material, the edges of said members which are to be joined being cut out to form complementary interlocking means com- 55' prising tonguesand complementary recesses to receive said tongues. The tongues may if desired be formed on one edge and the recesses on the other, or tongues and recesses may be formed on both edges. The tongues and recesses extend like distances inwardly from the edges and the 5 width of the tongue at its base equals the width of the complementary or corresponding recesses at its base. The tongues are preferably wider at their outer ends and the recesses are wider at their inner ends. -In order to assist in keeping 10 the two edges in a proper relation to each other and to hold the material straight, one or more rectangular tongues and a corresponding number of rectangular recesses may be provided.

Further details of the invention will appear from the following description.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-4 inclusive, there are shown two pieces of sheet material X and Y having edges cut out to form complementary interlocking means. The edge of the material X has formed thereon a plurality of tongues A, B and C and the edge 01. the material Y has a corresponding number of complementary recesses A, B and C. The points at the bases of the tongues A, B and C are designated III, II, l2, l3, l4 and i5 and the corresponding points on the material Y are designated III, II, l2, I3, I4 and IS. The edge of the material Y has also formed thereon at the ends and intermediate the recesses, projecting portions or 80 tongues D', E, F' and G' which are disposed opposite recesses D, E, F and G at the edge of the member X. 1

The two edges are joined in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 starting at the bottom. The 3:; projection or tongue D on the member Y is first placed in the recess D with the points in and i0 coinciding and the tongue A is then entered in the recess A, tongue B being entered in the recess E. This procedure is followed from the 40 bottom to the top of the two edges and it should be noted that the distances between the corresponding points l0, Ii, i2, l3, l4 and i5, and i0, ll, [2, l3, l4 and I5 are in each instance equai. In otherwwords, the distance I0, II at the base of the tongue A is exactly the distance III, II at the base of the recess A. The edges of the tongues and of the recesses are tapered or curved as shown, and when the tongues are entered in their complementary or corresponding recess the two edges of the sheets X and Y will be held firmly against relative longitudinal or lateral movement.

It will be noted that the tongue B on the member X is rectangular and enters a. correspondingly dimensioned rectangular recess B on the member Y. The interlocking oi the parts B and B assist in maintaining the material straight and flat. Fig. 3 shows the tongues interlocked in the recesses and Fig. 4 shows the reverse side of the two edges.

Fig. 5 illustrates a slightly modified form of the invention. In this figure the edge of the material X has formed thereon tongues H, I, J,

K and L and has recesses M, N','0', P and Q.

The edge Y has tongues M, N, O, P and Q and has recesses H, I, J', K and L'.

The base points of the cut outs in the edge X are designated lG-M inclusive, and the base points in the edge Y are correspondingly designated |6'-24' inclusive. The two edges are interlocked in a manner similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 and the tongues and recesses correspondingly designated are interengaged or interlocked to hold the edges flrmlyand securely in abutting relation. In this case, as in the other form of invention, the etc., are equal to the |6'-l'i', I'Il8', etc.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs.

6-9 inclusive, the edges X and Y to be interlocked are curved and divergent, so that when these edges are interlocked the surface formed will be curved. The edge X is provided with tongues 50, 5|, 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 which are adapted to interlock with recesses Sir-56' inelusive, formed on the edge Y. The edge Y is further provided with tongues 60, GI, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 which are adapted. to interlock with recesses 60'-66' formed on the edge X.

The points at the bases of the tongues and recesses in the part or edge X are designated 3 inclusive, and the corresponding points on the edge Y are correspondingly designated 3|- 44' inclusive.

In this form 'oi the invention the tongues are curved along one edge and are straight at the other edge, but are wider at the outer ends than at the bases thereoi and the recesses are wider at the bases than at the outer ends thereof. In each instance of interlocking tongue and recess the width 01' the tongue at the base is equal to the width of the recess at the: base.

The two edges are interlocked in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7, starting at the top and when the tongues and recesses have been interlocked throughout the full lengths of the edges the material will be curved or will form a curved surface. Fig. 8 shows the inside of the material with the interlocked tongues and recesses, and Fig, 9 shows the outside.

It will be noted that in each instance or in each form of the invention, the edges are firmly corresponding distances distances |6-i1, l1-l8,

and securely held against relative longitudinal or lateral movement and in abutting relation.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown and described it will be understood that the invention is capable of modification and that changes in the construction and in the arrangement of the various cooperating parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as expressed in .the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a pair of members of relatively stifl, pliable material having edges to be interlocked, said edges having spaced tongues and unobstructed recesses, said tongues being widest at their outer ends and tapered in width to the bases thereof and providing therebetween recesses which are widest at their inner ends and tapered in width to the outer ends thereof, the width of the tongues at their inner ends being equal to the width of corresponding recesses at their inner ends whereby when they are brought into interlocking relationship the projecting tongues engage the recesses at their inner ends and lie on the same side of the interlocked members.

2. In combination. a pair of members of relatively stifi, pliable material having straight edges to be interlocked, complementary interlocking means at said edges, said means comprising spaced tongues and unobstructed recesses, said tongues being widest at their outer ends and tapered in width to the bases thereof and providing therebetween recesses which are widest at their inner ends and tapered in-width to the outer ends thereof, the width of the tongues at their inner ends being equal to the width of corresponding recesses at their inner ends, whereby when the members are brought into interlocking relationship projecting tongues engage the recesses at their inner ends and lie on the same side of the interlocked members.

3. In combination, a pair of relatively stiff, pliable sheet members having curved edges to be interlocked, and complementary interlocking means at said edges, said means comprising spaced tongues and unobstructed recesses, said tongues being widest at their outer ends and tapered in width to the bases thereof and providing therebetween recesses which are widest at their inner ends and tapered in width to the outer ends thereof, the width of' the tongues at their inner ends being equal to the width of corresponding recesses at their inner ends, whereby when the members are brought into interlocking relationship the projecting tongues engage the recesses at their inner ends and lie on the same side of the interlocked members.

JESSIE MAE ZIMMERMAN. 

